NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has sought the resignation of Hockey India president Mushtaque Ahmed on the grounds that his election in 2018 violated the 2011 National Sports Development Code.
The ministry has directed that Hockey India conduct new elections for the post by September 30 and that the new president will remain in the post for the remainder of Ahmed’s tenure (if he had continued to hold the post), which is until September 30, 2022, IANS reports.
In a letter (accessed by IANS) to HI secretary general Rajinder Singh, Sports Ministry Under Secretary Raju Bagga notes that Ahmed is currently serving his third consecutive tenure as an office bearer with Hockey India.
“… it has been observed that Md Mustaque Ahmed had earlier served as treasurer in Hockey India (HI) from 2010-2014 and secretary-general from 2014-18. The instant term 2018-22 of Md Mustaque Ahmed as president of HI, is his third consecutive term as an office-bearer in HI. Thus his election as president of HI is not in consonance with the government guidelines limiting the age & tenure of office bearers of National Sports Federations,” Bagga said in his letter, dated July 6.
“Accordingly, HI is directed to advise Md Mustaque Ahmed to demit the post of president and to conduct a fresh election for the post of president by 30.09.2020 for the remaining term i.e. up to 30.09.2022 and inform the same to the Department.”
